Starbreeze says its Syndicate was always going to be an FPS

Escape for Butcher Bay and Darkness developer Starbreeze’s take on the Syndicate universe was finally officially revealed this week, but many gamers have taken exception to the fact that game’s eschewed its isometric strategy roots, becoming yet another first Person Shooter, accusing Starbreeze and EA of IP jacking; using the name of an established franchise to sell a game that has sweet bugger all to do with it.

The game’s director Neil McEwan has said the time was right for the series to move on from its roots – and that it was always going to be an FPS.

"I don’t want people to stop playing the old games, but time has moved on," he explained to OXM "It was always going to be an FPS.

"The original nub of the idea was to take that viewpoint from the original game and zoom into the Agent’s head, and play that part. A closer experience – to become one of those Agents. We’re big fans of the original Syndicate, and we’re definitely paying as much homage to it as we can – bringing across the essence of the world, the core essence of what it is to be an Agent," he added. "That sounds wanky but it’s true – we’re taking the Persuadatron and evolving it in different ways, the weapons and brutality. On both facets of the game, the co-op and the single player, it’s very key to stay true to it. We’ve been very lucky to work with a great, original world, and create another facet of it really. I would love them [fans of the original] to like it. You’re never going to please everyone."

According to reports, a “body” of veterans from Bullfrog are working on the game giving it, perhaps, a worthy pedigree. We’ve had some lively debates here on lazygamer regarding the genre switch – but I’m willing to give Starbreeze the benefit of the doubt, even if I have mostly had my fill of FPS games.

I'm old, grumpy and more than just a little cynical. One day, I found myself in possession of a NES, and a copy of Super Mario Bros 3. It was that game that made me realise that games were more than just toys to idly while away time - they were capable of being masterpieces.
I'm here now, looking for more of those masterpieces.
I am also the emperor of the backend View all posts by Geoffrey →